Meet Our Team
Our team includes many wonderful people.
All members of our team in the USA are volunteers who give their time and energy freely to WE C Hope, despite the many challenges retinoblastoma brings to their own personal lives.
We are widely scattered across the country. Our meetings are held by teleconference and we use digital resources and social media to maintain communication and collaborative work between meetings.
Board members Lisa, Marissa, and Kristen, volunteering at the 2022 Southern California Rb Family Day.
Marissa D. Gonzalez
Lori Banos
Kassady “Kat” Garrison
Rachel Paulos
Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey
Melissa B. Mills
Somer Stanley
Cat Cox
Elana Kirby
Kristen Small
Lisa Hester
After founding Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund in the UK and Canada, Abby White received many requests for help from American families and survivors. No United States organization offered retinoblastoma (Rb) support or advocacy, so Abby began exploring ways to fill this gap. Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund USA was founded in 2012 to address family and survivor needs, and encourage action on the obstacles to highly effective care.
In 2015, Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund rebranded across all chapters to become World Eye Cancer Hope (WE C Hope), reflecting our work on a global level.
Community Support
Today, WE C Hope USA fosters a thriving retinoblastoma support network that includes patients, survivors, families, caretakers and medical professionals through our regional family weekends across the country and our annual Southern California family day. We have created a safe and nurturing environment for those affected by retinoblastoma to connect, share lived experiences and form life-long friendships.
Virtual events have included survivor meet-ups, child life programming and a back-to-school session for parents, focused on practical support and inclusive education planning for children with sight loss.
One Retinoblastoma World
In 2017, WE C Hope USA hosted the 4th One Retinoblastoma World (One Rb World) meeting, and the first National Rb Family and Survivor Day. These wonderful events brought together our global Rb community in Washington D.C., and accelerated the organization’s growth. In October 2024, WE C Hope USA hosted the 7th One Rb World conference in Hawaii, gathering a record 176 in-person attendees from 6 continents. An overwhelming sense of collaboration and connection was felt throughout the three-day conference, and proved that our amazing Rb survivors are also thrivers.
Life-Saving Early Detection
In August 2023, WE C Hope USA President, Marissa D. Gonzalez, spoke about One Rb World at the International Society of Ocular Oncology Africa conference, held in Mombasa, Kenya. Her experience in Africa led WE C Hope USA to fund a donation of 300 Arclight ophthalmoscopes across 5 low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia. Together with the Southern California based organization, KnowTheGlow, and The Arclight Project, a triangulated partnership was formed. These donations of the low-cost, high-tech eye screening devices will significantly enhance early detection of retinoblastoma and other blinding eye conditions.
Retinoblastoma For Life
In October 2023, the New York Times featured Marissa in the Opinion Section cover story “It Takes a Lifetime to Survive Childhood Cancer”. This article drew significant attention to retinoblastoma and its life-long impacts, across the USA and internationally, and underscored that a pediatric cancer diagnosis is indeed a life-long journey.
WE C Hope USA has grown thanks to a small group of dedicated people dispersed across the country. Primarily parents and survivors, the team has persisted through many setbacks, including sight loss and second cancers. With broad experience of life with retinoblastoma, the team is well-placed to develop programs that will benefit families and survivors, and advance patient care across America, while also taking a leading role in global Rb advocacy.
Founding Board Member
Marissa D. Gonzalez was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma (Rb) at 17 months, was treated with radiation and cryotherapy, and lost her left eye at 23 months. She continued exams under anesthesia to monitor the tumors until age 12 when she was declared cured.
In 2018, Marissa lost the majority of her remaining vision due to complications from a craniofacial reconstruction. In 2023 Marissa was diagnosed with – and subsequently cured of – melanoma, a common second primary cancer for survivors with the RB1 genetic mutation.
Marissa is a proud graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), where she worked in event management and development for 17 years.
Marissa has planned three One Retinoblastoma World conferences, bringing together our global Rb community to discuss and learn about the latest treatments, research, and survivorship care for retinoblastoma. One Retinoblastoma World was featured in the 2022 Harvard University Press book, Global Perspectives on Ocular Oncology, in a chapter that Marissa co-authored.
Marissa is proud to serve on the steering committee of the National Convergent Science Cancer Consortium supported by the Department of Defense, part of President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot program.
On October 8, 2023, Marissa was featured on the front page of the Sunday Opinion section of The New York Times. The article, It Takes a Lifetime to Survive Childhood Cancer, highlighted the challenges of being a pediatric cancer survivor and a legally blind woman.
Through World Eye Cancer Hope, Marissa attended and spoke at the International Society of Ocular Oncology Conference in Kenya in August 2023.
Marissa believes her challenges as an eye cancer patient and blind adult survivor led her to become an international advocate for pediatric oncology, effecting change here in the United States and around the world.
Founding Board Member
Lori Baños lives in Iowa with her husband, Juan. She is a founding and active board member of World Eye Cancer Hope and is the parent of an adult survivor of bilateral Retinoblastoma. On October 24, 2010, she created the Facebook group, Rb Moms, a place of support for mothers of children with retinoblastoma.
Lori is a dedicated itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) and Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist. She brings many years of experience in the field to children and families in our retinoblastoma community.
Lori on our Blog: 10 Things Parents Want You to Know About Retinoblastoma
A proud member of the USC Trojan family, Kassady “Kat” Garrison holds a Master’s degree in Business Taxation and currently works as a corporate tax associate at KPMG, focusing on clients in the tech, retail, and cruise line industries.
Her journey in tax began in 2017 through the VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program, where she helped low-income, elderly, and disabled individuals file their taxes – an experience that sparked a lasting passion. She later became a program coordinator for VITA, overseeing operations and ensuring that more people had access to essential tax services.
Kat’s involvement with WE C Hope began in 2022, first participating in our Family Days, where she had the opportunity to connect directly with families and support their needs. She now feels truly honored to contribute to the organization in a larger role. Giving back has always been close to her heart, and she’s excited to continue making a difference as the organization grows and thrives.
Rachel Paulos is an Audit Associate at KPMG, where she works with some of the world’s largest public companies in the real estate and sports industries. Her interest in accounting began during her undergraduate studies at Whittier College, and she went on to earn her Master of Accounting degree from the University of Southern California in 2023.
Rachel joined the board of World Eye Cancer Hope to make a meaningful impact beyond the corporate world, using her skills to support families navigating unimaginable challenges. She sees giving back as a responsibility and a privilege. Rachel is committed to advancing WE C Hope’s mission and supporting its continued growth, and feels honored to be part of an organization that brings hope and healing to so many.
Clayonia Colbert-Dorsey was born and raised in Maryland, the eldest grandchild of a United States Congressional Gold Medal Recipient and Documented Original Tuskegee Airman. Diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma at the age of 2.5 years, she embraced life beyond fear and lives by the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived . . .this is to have succeeded.”
Known as a transformative writer/global speaker, Clayonia brings passion to purpose. She attended Allegany College of Maryland, earning an Associate Arts Degree in Executive Secretarial Science; and pursued Bachelor’s study in Organizational Management at Nyack College.
A born Servant Leader, she has held positions in federal and state government, academia, and nonprofit/associations. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, trustee at White Rock Independent Methodist Episcopal Church, and proud to serve on the World Eye Cancer Hope US Board of Director.
Clayonia on our blog: Ethnography: A New Frontier in Retinoblastoma Research
Mark Billings’ wife, Katherine, is a survivor of bilateral retinoblastoma and a related second primary cancer.
“I think our strength is measured by how we overcome challenges. When Katherine was diagnosed and underwent a year of treatment for osteosarcoma just 6 months after our wedding (having been cancer-free for 26 years), it was certainly a challenge, but one we faced with the right mind-set to overcome it”.
Their daughter, Lucia, was born in 2015 with tumors in both eyes, and continues to undergo treatment. Mark decided to use his family’s experience and his professional knowledge of the ‘business of healthcare, to help others. He joined the WE C Hope board in October 2015, and has served as CFO since 2016.
Mark is a Chartered Accountant, with over 10 years of experience at a “Big Four” accounting firm. He joined Pine Hill Group in 2014, and provides merger and acquisition advice to corporations and private equity firms specialized in the healthcare industry.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Mark has lived in the Philadelphia area since 2003. He enjoys travelling and working out, but spends most of his spare time playing with his two young children and juggling housework as he and his wife both pursue their professional careers.
Mark on our Blog: From CRADLE to Care: Your Photos Can Help Scientists Build an App for Parents to Diagnose Serious Child Eye Disease Early.
Melissa Mills is a bilateral retinoblastoma survivor and was treated in the 1970‘s at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in Boston, MA. She is now a part-time prenatal genetic counselor at Stanford Children’s – Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.
She has three degrees from Stanford University, a B.S. and an M.S. in Earth Systems, and an MS from the Medical School in Genetic Counseling.
Melissa lives in the California Bay Area with her husband, 10 year old identical twins, and rescue dog, Derby. She is passionate about helping people understand genetic information and protecting the Earth. In her free time, she is the President of the Mid-Peninsula Parents of Multiples Non-profit, and Board Secretary for the environmental non-profit Oil Change International.
Melissa on our blog: How Do I Create A Family When I Have An RB1 Mutation?
Somer Stanley is a proud military spouse, mother of two, and passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusivity. Her journey as a parent took a life-changing turn when her daughter, Journey, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma.
Navigating the complexities of medical treatments, emotional challenges, and the long-term impact of her daughter’s diagnosis deeply shaped Somer’s perspective. This experience fueled her commitment to supporting other families navigating similar challenges, offering guidance, advocacy, and hope.
Professionally, Somer’s advocacy extends into her work as the creator of Nclusive Scan, a patented accessibility solution that bridges communication gaps for Deaf and visually diverse individuals. With over 15 years of experience in accessibility and inclusion, she provides innovative tools, education and solutions, to ensure thriving communities have equitable access to vital resources.
Somer’s dedication to creating inclusive environments aligns seamlessly with WE C Hope’s mission to empower families and survivors affected by childhood eye cancer.
Cat Cox is the parent of an Rb survivor who rocks a purple sparkly prosthetic eye. Her focus is to support and empower those in the Rb community, especially in finding their voice and controlling their narrative.
WE C Hope has been one of the silver linings in her family’s journey. Bringing the Rb community closer together through events and fundraising is one of her passions, and she is honored to be on the board of WE C Hope to help patients, survivors, parents, siblings, extended family, and beyond.
Cat is committed to bringing everyone together to empower themselves and one another, find hope, and change the future of Rb!
Elana Kirby is a dedicated wife and mother of two. When her son was two years old, he was diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma in his left eye, which was removed to save his life. Now Elana is an advocate for preventing early childhood blindness and spends her time educating her community about detecting “the glow” in children’s flash photos.
Elana lives with her family in Maine and is excited to be part of the WE C Hope USA team!
Rita Thorosian-Gardner is a bilateral retinoblastoma survivor who was born and raised in California. She was diagnosed with Rb at six weeks old and treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the 1980s by Dr. A. Linn Murphree, who saved her life.
Rita received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine, and went on to receive a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California. She has over 18 years of experience in social work, and currently works as an inpatient social worker for a hospital in Orange County. She strives to support others in the best way possible.
Rita lives in Orange County, California, with her family. She is a dedicated wife and mom. To Rita, family is everything! They have been her backbone through life, always encouraging and supporting her to achieve her goals. She feels so honored and excited to be part of the WE C Hope USA team.
Kristen Small has more than 15 years of experience in communications and graphic design, incorporating change management techniques. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of organizations – from small companies to large corporations and non-profits. Her motto over the years has become “I’m here to help!”
In Kindergarten, Kristen met her best-friend-for-life, Marissa Gonzales. She is Marissa’s go-to driver for surgeries, on-point menu reader in dark restaurants, and blind-side detector. Throughout their friendship, she has witnessed first-hand the effects of retinoblastoma on patients and family. As a result, she has become a passionate supporter of improving quality of life and medical care for everyone impacted by Rb.
Kristen served on the board of WE C Hope as Communications Director for 8 years, and continues to support the organization as a volunteer.
Kristen is an avid reader, a DIYer/crafter, and enjoys vacationing anywhere there is water (“…a pond, a pool, a lake, a sea…I’m not picky”). She lives in Southern California with her husband, dog, and three cats.
Lisa Hester was a loving mother to eight children, including Rb warrior Elijah, and a treasured member of the WE C Hope USA Board of Directors since 2017.
Lisa was amazed and encouraged by WE C Hope’s hosting of the One Retinoblastoma World 2017 conference in Washington D.C. She immediately volunteered at the event to receive and read out questions/comments from our 135 virtual participants around the world.
Seeing this amazing community of providers, survivors, and their families grabbed Lisa’s heart, and led her to become more involved with WE C Hope and the wider Rb community. Learning from One Rb World and other WE C Hope training opportunities, she keenly advocated for child life supports, both in her son’s medical care, and for all children. She looked forward to speaking on the subject at One Rb World 2024 in Hawaii, and to bringing her children to the conference to benefit from the child life program.
Lisa wrote of her son’s Rb experience: “Elijah was diagnosed at 7 weeks with bilateral retinoblastoma and had his right eye enucleated. He has had several treatments for his remaining eye including laser and IAC. He is now 9 years old (May 2024) with no evidence of disease – still under surveillance and working on some treatment related issues, but overall happy and healthy”.
Lisa died while on her daily morning walk on July 31, 2024. She leaves a huge void in our team, community, and collective heart.
We continue our commitment to advance child life for retinoblastoma across the USA and around the world in Lisa’s memory. We invite you to join us by donating to the Lisa Hester Child Life Memorial Fund.
Lisa on our blog: Ohana: The Beating Heart of One Retinoblastoma World 2024
Lisa on our blog: A Day Well Spent – California Family Day
